Emu rearing venture picking up in Manipur

By L.C.K Singh, Imphal, Mar 10 : For the first time in the Northeast region rearing of poultry Emu birds on commercial basis has been taken up by farmers in Manipur.

Emu rearing has caught the fancy of farmers in Northeast.

The joint initiative of introducing Emu farming, which started with an aim to improve the socio-economic status of the region was taken up by NGOs called KVK Sylvan at Senapati and Foundation for Environment and Economic Development Services (FEEDS), Manipur.

Eighty one Emu chicks have been procured for an experimental basis from SAF Emu Farm at Chennai.

Around 20 poultry farmers in the state have been provided training on Emu farming.

Emu, which is two metres tall in height and considered the second-largest bird in the world after ostrich, has the highest resistance to diseases compared to other poultry birds.

"Emu rearing will give high profit to farmers. There are no waste parts from emu. Every parts of these birds are useful to mankind." R.K. Imotoba Singh, Programme Coordinator

Other Northeast states like Nagaland have also shown interest in the project.

If properly implemented and executed, the nascent business venture could give a boost to the economy of the region.